Latch mechanism



May 19, 1953 'E. a. .mzosson $2,639,132

LATCH MECHANISM Filed Feb. 26, 1949 .2 Sheets-Sheet 1 n lawman. I Enwm5. JAcoss'oN" Arroanzv May 19, 1953 E. a. JACOBSON LATCH MECHANISM2;,Sheets-Sheet '2 Filed Feb. 26, 1949 .ll llll I \NveN'roR Bow: 5.JACOBSON 1a 9 Z g z ATTORNEY Patented May 19, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE LATCH MECHANISM Edwin B. Jacobson, Grand Rapids, Mich., as-

signor to Orampton Manufacturing Company, a corporation of MichiganApplication February 26, 1949, Serial No. 78,576

9 Claims.

This invention provides a latch mechanism of the type designed to applya closing force to a door. In addition to securing the door in closedposition, a biasing action is applied thereto n order to force the dooragainst the action of a sealing gasket tightly enough to prevent thepassage of air. This type of device has come into general use inconnection with the doors of refrigerators and other containers seekingto maintain a temperature differential between the interior and exteriorthereof. It is the general practice to provide a refrigerator with afixed member or keeper having an anchoring point for cooperation with abolt positioned by a lock mechanism secured to the door. As the door isswung shut, the bolt engages the keeper with the required force togenerate the necessary closing action.

The present invention provides for the mounting of the latch mechanismat or near the outer edge of a hollow sheet metal door in the generalarea where such a door is the strongest and most capable of sustainingthe forces encountered during the locking action. The location of thelock mechanism in this general area tends to move the point ofapplication of locking force to the greatest possible radius from thedoor hinge so that the net closing moment effective upon the door ismaximized. With this arrangement, it is also possible to maintain theappearance and space-saving features of a concealed latch While,disposing the latch mechanism at a point where it is possible to run thesealing gasket inside the keeper, if desired. With the bolt and strikecooperating near the outer edge of the door, the strike and keeper canbe attached directly to the Wall of the refrigerator without undulythickening the same or providing heavy cantilever structure to transmitthe locking forces to the wall panel. Further, the keeper which is usedin connection with the present invention can be so proportioned that ithas no large dimension extending outwardly from the surface on which itis mounted. In addition, the bolt positioning system of the presentinvention and the type of bolt which is used act to generate therequired engaging action with a minimum of structure projecting from thedoor. This freedom from large coupling members removes a source ofaccident and injury and considerably increases the value of themechanism.

The features of the present invention also provide a great many factorstending to reduce the cost of the installation of the completedposition.

2 mechanism. A latch mechanism embodying the present invention may bedesigned and constructed so that it is entirely preassembled, includinghandle, escutcheon plate, and other equipment associated therewith. Ahollow door fabricated of sheet material can be prov ded with a cut-out.through which the mechanism is inserted in acompletely assembledcondition. Itcan then be fastened in position with the aid of fasteningmembers passing through one of the panels of which the door is formed. V

The actuation of the handle of the latch mechanism embodying the presentinvention operates to move the bolt to the unlocked position, andsuitable trigger means are provided to maintain the bolt in suchposition until the door is closed. The-preferred form of this triggersystem involves the use of an element adapted to move in a pathgenerally perpendicular to the door, such movement being caused by thecollision of this element with a striker plate fastened to therefrigerator box. The action of this trigger element permits the strikeplate to benothing'more than a flat surface of suitable hardness andwearing characteristics, and the tolerances on the lateral location ofthe same are of course no problem whatever.

' The preferred manner of applying the locking force under the presentinvention is for a spring to be so positioned that the entire lockingaction generated between the keeper and the engaging portion of the boltis transmitted through the spring to a suitable support means associatedwith the mechanism housing. The spring thus provides a biasing effectwhich is not dissipated in friction between moving parts, and isgenerally independent of the accumulation or wear or manufacturingtolerances inevitable where a number of working parts are involved. Ifsuch biasing action were applied at a different point in thebolt-positioning system, these various factors would have to beconsidered before the action of the spring were finally brought to bearupon the keeper .togenerate the closing force.

A detailed analysis of the features of the present invention will bemade by a discussion of the particular embodyments which areillustratedin the accompanying drawings. In these drawings,

Figure 1 illustrates a section through a mechanism taken on a horizontalplane, with the components of the mechanismin the locked Figure 2 is anexterior elevation of the com ponents of the lock mechanism shown inFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a section taken on a horizontal plane of the same mechanismshown in Figure 1, with the components in the unlocked position, andshowing the door as it approaches the closed position.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the bolt utilized in themechanism shown in Figures 1 and 3.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the crank shown in Figures 1 and 3.

Figure 6 shows a perspective of the trigger member utilized in themechanism shown in Figures 1 and 3.

Figure 7 shows a section on a horizontal plane of a mechanism operatingupon the same general principles as that shown in Figure l, butdiffering somewhat in detail design.

Referring to Figurel of thedrawings, the body portion of a refrigeratoris generally indicated at l and the door at H. The latch mechanismindicated at E2 is provided with a handle 13 formed so that it can beconveniently grasped by the hand. Between the door H and the body [0,.the gasket 14 is placed in position shown to secure a seal preventingthe passage of air into the box when the door is in locked position.

The keeper plate l'is attached directly to the wall of therefrigeratorby the fastenings i8, and providesan anchoring point lladapted to cooperate with the bolt carried by the door of therefrigerator. The door I I is provided with a cutout 18 in the outerpanel [9 through which the assembled latch mechanism [2 is inserted.inner panel $20 of the door H is also provided with a cut-out 2| throughwhich the bolt and trigger mechanismof the latch project for cooperationwith the keeper [5. The auxiliary cover plate 22 is provided with arecess to obtain the necessary clearance for the outer portion of thekeeper [5. The latch mechanism 'is secured in the position shown by thefastenings 23 which pass through the innerpanel 20 and are receivedwithin suitable threaded holes 'in the housing 24 of the latch mechanism[2. To accommodate .small changes in the dimensions 'of the door II,

it is preferable to provide shims as noted-at 25 to assure the proper.fit between the escutcheon plate portion '28 of the housing 24 and thesurface of the panel I9.

Referring to Figure 3,the bolt 27 is provided with the engaging portioncomprising the roller 28 rotatably supported upon the positioningportion 29 of the bolt. The construction of the bolt '27 is best showninlFigure 4, and it is ssentially a box-like structure of sheet metalhaving a hollow interior. At a point approximately midway between theends of *the bolt, the slots 39 and 3| are provided for cooperation withthe fulcrum pin 32. The spring 33 is interposed between the end of thebolt and the fulcrum pin 32, giving a net biasing action away from thepin and toward the pivotal connection-34 between the bolt 2'! and thecrank 35. Crank 35 is rotatably supported upon the pivot '36 which alsoforms the pivot mounting for the handle l3. The spring 31 operatesdirectly upon the handle to return the same to a fixed positionregardless of the position of the latch mechanism.

An examination of the relative positions of the components in Figures 1and 3 will indicate that the position of the pivotal connection 34 withrespect to the line of centers 38 drawn between the pivot 36 and the pin32 determines The i 4 whether the biasing action of the spring 33 willforce the mechanism to open or closed position. As the handle 13 isactuated, the operating surface 39 develops pressure against the rearportion of the crank 35 and induces a clockwise rotation of the sameabout the pivot 35. Such rotation causesthe pivotalconnection. to movefrom the position shown in Figure :1 to that in Figure 3, and to cockthe toggle system in the unlocked position. Due to the action of thestop 40, the mechanism is completely stable in this position and willremain so until one of the components of the toggle system are forceably,move'd'in the opposite direction. This movement the outward movement ofthe bolt 27.

With the mechanism in the unlocked position, the return of the bolt tothe locking position shown in Figure 1 is left to the control of thetrigger element ll. This element is pivotally connected to the crank '35at the point 42 and is slideably retained within the housing 24 so thatit is free to more in response to force generated at the contact point43 as the door of the refrigerator is swung shut. Just previous to thepoint where the door reaches the fully closed position, the contactpoint :23 collides with the strike surface 4 causing the trigger elementM to move downwardly as seen in Figure 3. Such movement induces acounter-clockwise rotation of the crank 35, causing the pivotalconnection 34 to move across 'the lineof centers 38. Shortly after thepivotal connection 34 passes this line of'centers, the mechanism becomesunstable under the action of the'biasing spring 33 and the toggle systemsnaps to the position shown in Figure 1 in which further rotation islimited by the engagement of the roller23 withthe anchoring point ll ofthe keeper 15. If the position of the anchoring point '11 is-notfanenough'away from the door to completely stop the action of thebiasing spring .33, the bolt will be limited in its rotation by thesurrounding structure of the latch mechanism. To develop the requiredlocking force, however, it is preferable that the bolt shall berestrained in its movement by the :osition of the anchoring point l1.With the bolt in this position, the force of spring 33 is applieddirectly to the bolt and is transmitted through the engaging roller andthe keeper plate to provide a net closing eifect upon the door H. Theeiiect of the crank 35 is principally to determine the attitude of thebolt, although it may be noted that a component of force is generated atthe pivotal connection 34 tending to reduce the eifectof the biasingspring 33 as creating a locking force. Due to the angle at which theforces are applied at the connection 34, the amount of this component issmall and leaves the principal part of the force contributed by spring.33 to perform the locking action.

Referring to Figure 5, a view is shown of the construction of the crank35. This member comprises the side plates 45 and 45 in whichtheholes 41and 41a (not shown) are'provided to act as bearings cooperating with thepivot 36. The

holes 48 and 49 are provided to act "as bearings cooperating with thepivot 42. "The edges 50 and form the surfaces cooperating withtheoperating surface 39 of the crank I 3;

operates upon the same general principles as those described inconnection withithe previous figures; but the location of the trigger,position of biasing spring, and other minor details are changed in somedegree.- The biasing spring 53 is shown surrounding thepositioningportion of the bolt 54 which is supported (in generally the same manneras the bolt shown in Figures 1 and 3) upon the fulcrum pin- 55. InFigure '7, the trigger'element 56 is formed as a U-shaped memher havinga slot in each side similar to the slot in'the positioning portion ofthe bolt 54. The fulcrum pin 55 engages both the slots in the triggerand the slot in the 'solid positioning portion 51 of the bolt in thesame manner as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The trigger 56 is pivotallyconnected to the crank 58 at the point 59. The operating characteristicsof the mechanism shown in Figure 7 are substantially identical to thosedescribed in connection with the previous Figures.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have beenshown in the accompanying drawing's'and have beendescrib'ed herein, arefor illustrativepurposes only, and are not to be considered aslimitations upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims it isthe intent of the inventor to claim the entire invention to the extenthe is entitled in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1. A lock mechanism for cooperation with a keeper to secure a door inclosed position, comprising: bolt means having an engaging portion, saidengaging portion being adapted to engage and disengage said keeperthrough lateral move-1 ment, and a positioning portion; fulcrum meansslideably supporting said bolt means on said positioning portion forrotation generating said lateral movement; crank means pivotallyconnected to said positioning portion at a point remote from saidfulcrum; pivot means rotatably supporting said crank means for rotationon an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said bolt, said pivotalconnection being between said fulcrum means and said pivot means andadjacent to a line joining said fulcrum means and said pivot means;biasing means having a component of force urging said bolt toward saidpivotal connection; releasing means inducing rotation of said bolt meansabout said fulcrum in a disengaging direction in response to themovement of a handle; trigger means cooperating with said crank andcomprising a contact portion adapted to bear against a surfacesubstantially parallel to said (1001 as said door is closed; supportmeans for said trigger means permitting sliding movement of said contactportion in a direction substantially perpendicular to said door, saidsliding movement generating rotation of said crank in a direction tomove said bolt to engaging position .6 and carry said pivotal connectionacross the plane containing the axis of said fulcrum means and saidpivotmeans. 5 7

2, A latch mechanism fora container door, said mechanism comprising:housing means adapted for attachment to said door; an elongated bolthaving a keeper-engaging portion at one end, saidbolt being slideablyand pivotally mounted at an intermediate point thereon in said housingmeans; crank means pivotally mounted in said housing means on an axisparallel to the axis'of the pivotal mountingof said bolt, said crankpivotally engaging said belt at the opposite end thereof from saidkeeper-engaging portion; biasing means urgingsaid bolttoward said crank;stop means limiting the movement of the point of pivotal engagementbetween said bolt and crank at points on opposite sides of the planecontaining the axes of said pivotal mountings; handle means adapted torotate said crank; and trigger means slideably mounted insaid housingfor movement in a direction perpendicular to said door, said triggervmeans at one end engaging said crank at a point remote from the pivotalmounting thereof, and the opposite end of said trigger means beingdisposed to contaet said container on the closing of said door, therebyurging said point of pivotal engagement of said bolt and crank acrossthe planecontaining the axes of said pivotal mountings. I I 4 3. A latchmechanism for a door, said mechanism comprising? housing meansadaptedfor attachment to said door; an elongated hollow bolt having akeeper-engaging'portion at'one end, said bolt being slideably andpivotally mounted at an intermediate point thereon in said housing meansat a pin secured to said housing means; crank means pivotally mounted insaid housing means on an axis parallel to the axis of said pin, saidaxes being in a plane substantially perpendicular to said door, and saidcrank pivotally engaging said bolt at the opposite end thereof from saidkeeper-engaging portion; biasing means urging said bolt toward saidcrank, said biasing means including a compression spring disposed withinsaid hollow bolt and acting between said bolt and said pin; stop meanslimiting the movement of the point of pivotal engagement between saidbolt and crank at points on opposite sides of the plane containing theaxes of said pivotal mountings; and handle means adapted to rotate saidcrank.

4, A latch mechanism for a door, said mechanism comprising: housingmeans adapted for attachment to said door; an elongated bolt having akeeper-engaging portion at one end, said bolt being slideably andpivotally mounted at an intermediate point thereon in said housingmeans; crank means pivotally mounted in said housing means on an axisparallel to the axis of the pivotal mounting of said bolt, said axesbeing in a plane substantially perpendicular to said door, and saidcrank pivotally engaging said bolt at the opposite end thereof from saidkeeperengaging portion; biasing means urging said bolt toward saidcrank; and handle means adapted to rotate said crank.

5. A latch mechanism, comprising: housing means; an elongated hollowbolt having a keeperengaging portion at one end, said bolt beingslideably and pivotally mounted at an intermediate point thereon in saidhousing means at a pin secured to said housing means; crank meanspivotally mounted in said housing means on an axis parallel to the axisof said pin, said crank .7 ,pivotally engagingsaid bolt-at the oppositeend thereof from said-keeper-engaging portion; biasing means urging saidbolt toward said crank,

said biasing means including a compression spring disposed-within saidhollow bolt and acting between said boltand said pin; stopmeans-limiting the movement; of the point of pivotal engagement betweensaid bolt and crank at points on opposite sides of the plane containingthe axes of said pivotal mountings; and handle means adapted to rotatesaid crank.

6. A latch mechanism, comprising: housing means; an elongated hollowbolt having a keeperengaging portion at one end, said bolt beingslideably and pivotally mounted at an intermediate point thereon in-saidhousing means at a pin secured to said housing means; crank meanspivotally mounted in said housing means on an axis parallel to the axisof said pin, said crank pivotally engaging said bolt at the opposite endthereof from said keeper-engaging portion; biasing means urging saidbolt toward said crank, said biasing means including a compressionspring disposed Within said hollow bolt and acting between said bolt anda point fixed with respect to said housing means; stop means limitingthe movement of the point of pivotal engagement between said bolt andcrank at points on opposite sides of the plane containing the axes ofsaid pivotal mountings; and handle means adapted to rotate said crank.

7. A latch mechanism, comprising: housing means; an elongated bolthaving a keeperengaging portion at one end, said bolt being slideablyandpivotally mounted at an intermediate point thereon in saidhousing'means; crank means pivotally mounted in said housing means on anaxis parallel to the axis of the pivotal 'mounting of said bolt; pinmeans pivotally connecting said bolt-at th'e oppositeend thereof fromsaid keeper-engaging portion to said crank means; biasing means urgingsaid bolt toward having a flange adjacent the inner panel, the

combination of the following: fixed housing means for securing the partsof said lock mechanisminoperatingrelationship, said cut-out beingadapted to-receive said mechanism and housing means; and mounting meanssecuring said mechanism andhousingmeans in said door including fasteningmeans passing through said flange and engaging said housing means. I

9. Incombination with a latch mechanism for securing a-hollow door inclosed relationship with a container,-said door comprising oppositelydisposed panels in spaced relationship and having a cut-out in anoutside panel adjacent the outer edge thereof, the combination of thefollowing: fixed housing means for securing the parts of *said lockmechanism in operating relationship,

said cut-out-being adapted to receive said mechanism and housing means;and mounting means securing said mechanism and housing means in saiddoor including fastening means passing through the inner panel of saiddoor and engaging said housing means.

EDWIN B. JACOBSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,744,424 Trudeau Jan. 21, 1930 883,804 Marque Oct. 18, 19322,195,542 Shafier et a1 Apr. 2, 1940 2,445,709 'Curtiss, Jr July 20,1948 2,451,380 Curtiss, Jr Oct. 12, 1948

